Stainless Tubing

[aph]

Anyone got a low tech method of bending 25mm stainless tubing. Making a few mods to a bimini frame. A mate of mine says to use a bollard on the quay. Of course he wont be around when I try it.
I can get it done ashore but means first finding someone here in Italy............ lugging it ashore......... blah blah blah

 

[nedmin]

Depends on the radius you want, but if not TOO acute, get a piece of 4inch X2inch X3ft timber drill a hole 25mm dia. about 3inches from the top drilling thro. the 2inch thick side, get a piece of scrap tube 25mm dia get red hot and burn a chamfer so that when you bend the the tube it doesnt kink,wants to be a really good chamfer. put tube in where you want to bend and press down,dont go too far or you will kink it, when you feel movement stop and move tube thro.about an 1/8th of an inch.used to bend conduit that way in my youth! before the days of bending m/c,s, works quite well when you get into it,try on a scrap piece first,but you need a really good chamfer where you enter the tube.

 

[boatmike]

If you try bending it without using a proper tube bender it will kink and break.

 

[nedmin]

not true! it depends on the radius,done it scores of times thats why I said try a bit of scrap first.

 

[DinghyMan]

Could also fill it with dry sand before bending which helps to prevent kinking of the walls.

 

[kds]

You can get a sort of spiral spring which you push inside and remove after bending to stop it kinking. Must be the right diameter.
Ken